Belt tightener



Jan 6, 1931.

F. H. QHUMPHREY BELT TIGHTENER Filed July 31, 1929 I INVENTOR. I 191mb HHumpkrcy,

ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 6, 1931 UNITED-"STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK I-I. HUMPI-IREY, or MITCHELL, sourn DAKOTA BELT TIGHTENER Application filed July 31,

This invention relatesto a belt-tightener designed primarily for a use in connection with cup belts of grain elevators, but it is to be iilnderstood that a belt tightening means,

in accordance with this invention may be employed in any connection for which it is found applicable, andthe inventionlhas for the ends of a'belt tofovercome any slack in the latter and further for maintaining the belt taut during the couplingof the end terminalportions ofjthe belttogether and further with such means capable of being readily removed from the belt afterthe end terminal-portions ofthe latter have been conpled or secured together.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, "in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a I belt tightening means for the purpose refejrred to and which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly efficient in its'use, conveniently operated, readily installed with respect to the belt for drawing the same taut, and comparatively inexpensive to manufac ture. v With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement I of parts ashcreinafter more specifically desrribed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein isshown an embodiment 40 of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of thevclaims hereunto appended. I

-Inthe drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughoutthe several views; I Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a belt showin the adaptation therewith of a tightening means therefor in accordance with this invention and with the tightening pulleys.

1929. Serial mi. 382,366.

means further shown in section and with the belt broken away.

Flgure 2 1s a .front elevation, broken away,

- of a belt and its support and further showing the adaptation therewith, in full and in dotted lines of a belttightening means in accordance with this invention and with one ofthe tightening elements-broken away and partly in section. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the form of tightening element employed. The belt 1, is illustrated by way of example, as of the elevating and lowering type,

but it is to beunderstood that a belt tightenlng means, in accordance with this invention may be employed in connection with horizontally, longitudinally and angularly disposed belts employed for various purposes.

Theend terminal portions of the belt 1 are indicated at-2, 3-and are provided with openings4, 5 adapted to register'for the passage. of alacing or other means, not shown, for coupling the endterminal portions 2, 3 together. .The belt 1 is illustrated as drawn taut around a pair of spaced,superposed pulieys 6, 7 which are carriedby shafts 8, 9

. respectively. A pair of supports, in the form of uprights 10, 1-1 oppose the side edges of the belt. The shafts 8, 9 are journaled in the uprights 10,11.v The pulleys 6, 7 extend substantially from the-inner faceof one upright to the inner faceof the other. The width of belt 1 isslightly less than the length of the other one is adapted to have adriving means, not, shown therefor operatively connected therewith.

, The uprightsuor side members 10, -11 provide supports forremovably supporting the belt tightening means in accordance with-this .inventionand for such purpose eachsupport r sid m mb r-s rmed h. a p ni The shafts 8,9 are journaled in j 12 and an opening 13. The opening 12 is arrangeiil a substantial distance below the opening 13 and is termed the forward opening and the opening 13 is termed the rear opening.

The opening 12 is arranged in advance of the opening 13. The opening 12 is positioned between the front and rear stretches of the belt 1 and the opening 12 arranged rearwardly of the rear stretch of the belt 1. The opening 13 in the upright or side member 10 aligns with the opening 18 of the upright or side member 11 and the opening 12 in the side member 10 is arranged in alignment with the opening 12 formed in the side member or upright 11.

The belt tightening means includes a pair of rotatable, tubular elements referred to generally at 1 1, 15'and as each of said elements is-of the same construction, but one will be described as the description of one will apply to the other. Each rotatable tubular element comprises a tubular body portion 16 which isopen at each end and provided in V proximity to one .end with aligning openings 17 and in proximity to its other end with aligning openings 18. The body portion 16 is formed with a. lengthwise extending, rectangularslot 19 which extends from a point in close proximity to one of the openings 17 to a point in close proximity'to one ofthe openingslS. The registeringopenings 17, as Well as'the registering openings 18 are I provided for the passage of a handle member pose of drawing the end terminal portions 2 20 to enable the manual rotation of the body portion 16. The'tubular element 14 is mounted in the aligning openings 12 and is of a length to project a substantial distance from the uprights or side members 10, 11 whereby the openings 17 and 18 will be arranged a substantial distance from sald side members or uprights. The element 15 1S r'otatably 1nount- 'ed in the aligning openings 13 and is of a length to extend a substantial distance from the uprights or side members 10, 11 and in a manner whereby the openings 17, 18 of the element 15. will'be spaced a substantial distance from the said side members or uprights. The length of the slot 19 greater-thanthe distance between the opposed faces of the up rigl'its 'or-side members 10, 11. The element 14. is arranged below andforwardly of the element I The end portion 2 is adapted toextend through the slot 19 formed in the element 15 and is bent around the peripheryvof element 15. The end port-ion 3 extends through the slot 19 of element 14 into the latter and then extends around the'periphery of element 14. .VVhen the end portion 2 is connected to element 15 it is oppositely disposed with re- Spectto the end portion 3 when the latter is connected to the element 14.1 I

The elements is; and 15 are rotated in the direction of the arrows, Figure.1,for the purelements l t-and 15. isliad through the medium of the handle bars or members 20. The belt 1 is drawn taut around the pulleysti. 7, by theelements 14, 15. Theflpull'eys (i. 7 may he rollers or shafts. The elements 1 1, 15 provide for the winding thereon of the end terminal portions of the belt body. The elements 1 1, 15 do not aliqnand as one element is arranged forwardly of the other a clearance or space is pro ided for the end terminal portions of the belt when such portions are pulled towards each other. The clearance or space is of an area to provide for the opposed faces of the end terminal portions of the belt body to be arranged in close proximity or to abut. The norinalposition of the slot in element 14 is atthe rear side of the latter, and the nor-.

mal position of the slot in element 15 is at the forward side of the latter. The normal position ofrelements 1 1, 15 is oppositely disposed with respect to each other, 'due to the normal position of the slots. elements 141, 15 provide for connecting the end terminal portions of the belt body therewith, prior to the rotation of the element,

whereby when the elements are rotated the end terminal portions of the belt body will wind in opposite directions upon the elements 14, 15 under such conditions drawing the belt tightly around the spaced pulleys, rollers or shaft.

The-body portion 16 of the elements 1 1, 15is formed witha pair of spaced openings The slots of 21 on that side thereof opposite the side pro- I vided with the slot 19. The openings 21 and slot 19 are diametrically disposed with respect tothe body portion 16. The openings 21 are positioned at points inwardly wit-lirespect to the ends of slot l9. The opening:-;

21 in the body portion 16 in connection with the slot 19 in the latter permit of awire rope or cable to be run through the body portion 16 for attachingto. abelt when broken or when putting in anew belt. The rope or cable passing 'OVQF'IR pulley and the element 14 or 15 to which the rope or cable is attached act as a Windlass. r I

It is thought themany advantages of a belttightening means, in accordance with this invention and for. the purpose set forth I can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as scope of the invention as claimed.

lVhat I claim is: 7 1. A belt tightening means compris ng a pair or non-al1gn1ng, spaced, rotatable, re-

-movably mounted, tubular belt body winding elements adapted to be transversely disposed outwardly and inwardly with respect to the inner stretch of a belt arranged in traversing position ith respect to its pulleys or rolls and with its ends free of connection with each other, one of said elements arranged slightly in advance of the other for the passage for the free end portions of the belt, each of said elements provided with a lengthwise extending slot for the passage therein of an end of the belt to connect the latter therewith, one of said element-s normally having its slot on its inner side and the other on its outer side, and means for rotating said elements to wind the end portions of the belt body thereon to draw the belt taut and to maintain it taut prior to and during coupling of the ends thereof together.

2. A belt tightening means comprising a pair of nonaligning, spaced, rotatable, re movably mounted, tubular belt body winding elements adapted to be transversely disposed outwardly and inwardly with respect to the inner stretch of a belt arranged in traversing position with respect to its pulleys or rolls and with its ends free of connection with each other, one of said. elements arranged slightly in advanceot the other for the passage of the free end portions of the belt, each of said elements provided with a lengthwise extending slot for the passage therein of an end of the belt to connect the latter therewith, one of said elements normally having its slot on its inner side and the otheron its outer side, each of said elements having its body provided withopenings near each end, and means extending through certain of said openings for rotating said elements to wind the end portions of the belt body thereon to draw the belt taut andto maintain it taut prior to the coupling of the end portions together.

LA belt tightening means comprising a pair of nonaligning, spaced, 1.'otatab l.c, romova-bly n'nninted, tubular belt body winding elements adapted to be transversely disposed outwardly and inwardly with respect to the inner stretch of a belt arranged in traversing position with respect to its pulleys or rolls and with its ends free of connection with each other, one of said elements arranged slightly in advance of the other for the passage of the free end portions of the belt, each of said elements provided with a lengthwise extending slot for the passage therein of an end of the belt to connect the latter therewith, one of said elements normally having its slot on its inner side and the other on its outer side, and means for rotating said elements to'n'ind the end portions of the beltvbody thereon to d 'aw the belt taut and to maintain it taut prior toand during coupling of the ends thereof together, each of said elements and its slot being of greater length than the width of the belt.

.4. A belt tightening means comprising a .pair of nona I movably moiinted, tubular belt body winding elementsadapted to be transversely disposed outwardly and inwardly with respect to the inner stretch of a belt arranged in traversing position with respect to its pulleys or rolls and with its ends free of connection with each. other, one or said elen'ients arranged slightly inadvance ofthe other for the passage of the free end portions of the belt, each of said elementsprovidedwith a lengthwise extending slot forrthe passage therein o f an end of "the belt to connect the latter therewith, one of said elements normally having its slot on its inner side and the other on its outer side, each of said elements having its body providedwith openings near each end, and means extended through certain of said openings for rotating said elements to wind the end portlons of the belt body thereon to draw the belt taut and to maintain it taut prior to the coupling of theend portions together, each of said elements and its slot being of greater length than the width of the belt.

5. In a belt tightening means, a rotatable belt body winding element consisting of a tubular vmember formed with a lengthwise extending slot and apair of openings diametrically opposite said slot and arranged at points inwardly with respect to the ends of the slot to provide in connection with the latter for the passage of a pulling element diametrically through said member.

6. In a belt tightening means, rotatable belt body winding element consisting of a tubular member formed with a lengthwise extending slot and a pair of openings diametrically opposite said slot and arranged at points inwardly with respect to the ends of the slot to provide in connection with the latter for the passage of a pulling element dia metrically through said member. and said member having each end thereof provided with means outwardly. with respect to the ends of said slot adapted for selectively attachingto said ends a means for rotating said element. 1

, 7. In a belt tightening means, a rotatable beltbody winding element consisting of a tubular member formed with a lengthwise extending slot and a pair of openings dialgning, spaced, rotatable, re

latter for the passage of a pulling element diametrically through said member, and saidmember being 'n'ovided at each end with a set of aligning openings adapted for selec tively connecting with the ends thereof means for rotating said element.

8. A belt tightening means comprising a pair of oppositely disposed, removably mounted, rotatable belt body Winding elements of tubular form and each provided with a lengthwise slot for the passage therein of an end portion of the belt body to connect the latter to the element, said elements arranged in spaced relation and one in advance of the other for the passage therebetween of the endportion of the belt body prior to the coupling together of said end portions, and means connected to one end of each element for rotating it to Wind the belt body thereonto draw V the belt taut and to maintain it in such condition prior to and during the securing of the end portions of the belt body together.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto.

FRANK H. HUMPHREY, 

